Short hops and hard knocks with Red Sox beat writer Ian Browne.

Something to build on

Mark April 17 down as the first true character win for the 2006 Red Sox. Every team with championship aspirations needs games like this to bring them together. If there could be a qualm with the first 12 games of the season, it was that the Sox were too dependent on 3 men — Schilling, Beckett and Papelbon.

This was one of those great wins where it seems like everyone who got in the game did something for the cause. Youkilis legging out the infield hit in the ninth was huge. And Loretta was in the catbird’s seat with Ortiz lurking in the on deck circle. He worked the count to 2-0 and then crushed it. Ballgame.

Loretta needed a hit like that to get him going. Another underrated development today was Manny crushing two balls, though he didn’t get a home run to show for either one. This might not exactly be going out on a limb, but I really think Papi is going to hit 50 this year.

Anyway, I had a good couple of days off, but i’m looking forward to getting back to Fenway tomorrow.

Until then,

Ian.

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6 Comments

After reading youur comments on the game, I couldn’t agree more about the dependency on pitching. I think it is awesome that we have a rotation that can keep us in any series with anyone. That being said I do not think you win the AL east without some very good hitting. Being from a part of Florida where the Marlins up untill last year held their spring training, I was very glad to see the trades that the Red Sox were able to put together this year. Why the Marlins decide every couple of years to dismantle good teams is beyond me, but I am sure glad about the way things worked out this year. I had the chance to see Beckett pitch when he was with the Manatees (Marlins farm system) and it was evident that he was going to be something special. Well lets go Sox, lets go 19 for 19 and whip those stinking Yanks.

I would have to contend that we are entirely reliant on four people: the three you listed and Ortiz. In the early games this year, it seems the entire team (and the fans) are waiting for Papi to swat one out to keep them close or to score the win. Yesterday, a good example, he has two bombs to keep the Sox in the game. Thursday’s game against the Jays was another example; I fully expected Ortiz to hit that ball out and tie the game, and was almost surprised when he didn’t. I agree with you, Ian, that Papi could well hit 50 this year and, given Manny’s early season woes (which I think are coming to an end) the Sox would be in trouble without him.

That said, certainly the work of Schilling, Beckett and Papelbon has been nothing short of phenominal. They are amazing to watch.

Really enjoy the blog so far. It’s becoming a daily destination for providing a nice insider look at the team. Thanks for writing it.

I saw two teams yesterday, the one that won (YEAH) and the one that just barely lost. Seattle is going to give a lot of AL teams fits if they keep playing small ball like they did yesterday. They ‘manufactured’ or rather ‘worked their butts off’ to score several runs to take back the lead each time the RS tied up the game. Personally I’m happy that they are leaving town. I need to check the schedules to see when they are going to take a few from the NYY’s, that could be fun to watch.

I sent you something on Manny sevral months ago. I said that he couldn’t be replaced so the RS should “pretend” to tyr and trade him. I think thye did the best they could. Hitters like Manny don’t grow on trees. Have you notcied that since he has been batting behind Ortiz forcing them to pitch to Ortiz Manny’s BA has dropped almost 30 points. he could walk 150 times like Boinds, but he’s paid to jit, so he swings at those outsor pitches. her’s my comment. Stern needs to play every day to learn to hit. So Pawtcuket is the answer. The RS HAVE to find someone who is a home run threat to bat 5th. Then Manny will see a few pitches to hit. Pena might be the guy. If Pena doesn’t pay, he’ll never elarn to hit. If yu recall T. Williams alwasy batted third and the Sox had some big righthanded slugger bat fourth. Willimas walked a lot, but they couldn’t just let him walk every time. V. Stephens drove in 155 runs one year batting behind Ted. Babe Ruth batted third and walked a lot. But also saw a lot of good pitches to hit becuz they couldn’t walk him every time. Gerhig drove in 185 one year. So, to get the most out of Manny, they have to find a threat to bat 5th or they will have a lot of games scoring one or two runs. They must have traded for Pena for a reason. Willie mays went zero for 21 when he started, went into the manager’s ( Leo Durocher), and asked if he was going to be benched. The manager said. “NO, not even if you go Oh for 42, Now get back out there, relax and play”. The rest is history. They Red Sox should do that with Pena. Sadly, Francona doesn’t know who Leo Durocher is.

I sent you something on Manny sevral months ago. I said that he couldn’t be replaced so the RS should “pretend” to tyr and trade him. I think thye did the best they could. Hitters like Manny don’t grow on trees. Have you notcied that since he has been batting behind Ortiz forcing them to pitch to Ortiz Manny’s BA has dropped almost 30 points. he could walk 150 times like Boinds, but he’s paid to jit, so he swings at those outsor pitches. her’s my comment. Stern needs to play every day to learn to hit. So Pawtcuket is the answer. The RS HAVE to find someone who is a home run threat to bat 5th. Then Manny will see a few pitches to hit. Pena might be the guy. If Pena doesn’t pay, he’ll never elarn to hit. If yu recall T. Williams alwasy batted third and the Sox had some big righthanded slugger bat fourth. Willimas walked a lot, but they couldn’t just let him walk every time. V. Stephens drove in 155 runs one year batting behind Ted. Babe Ruth batted third and walked a lot. But also saw a lot of good pitches to hit becuz they couldn’t walk him every time. Gerhig drove in 185 one year. So, to get the most out of Manny, they have to find a threat to bat 5th or they will have a lot of games scoring one or two runs. They must have traded for Pena for a reason. Willie mays went zero for 21 when he started, went into the manager’s ( Leo Durocher), and asked if he was going to be benched. The manager said. “NO, not even if you go Oh for 42, Now get back out there, relax and play”. The rest is history. They Red Sox should do that with Pena. Sadly, Francona doesn’t know who Leo Durocher is.

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